POLS 304: American Political Thought

Transcription

1 POLS 304: American Political Thought University of the South Spring 2016 Gailor Hall 202 TR 9:30-10:45 Professor Adam Dahl Guerry 208 (ext. 1957) Office hrs: Mon. 10:00-11:00 & Thurs. 11:00-12:30 Course Overview This class provides an introduction to the key ideas shaping American political thought and culture from the seventeenth to the early twentieth century. We will focus on two key themes. First, we will explore whether or not there is a singular American political tradition defined by a liberal focus on individual rights, inclusion, and equality. Although politicians and pundits often talk as if there is a singular set of American values or an American way of life, the reality is that American political ideas comprise a rich tapestry of conflicting values and discourses. We will thus explore dominant traditions of American thought such as liberalism and republicanism as well as multiple and alternative traditions such as racism, imperialism, socialism, anarchism, and cultural pluralism. Second, we will examine whether American Exceptionalism either helps or hinders our understanding of key theoretical debates in American politics concerning the nature of rights, power, freedom, economic inequality, racial justice, gender inclusion, religious identity, and political responsibility. In brief, the idea of American Exceptionalism suggests that American political thought is marked by an overriding commitment to liberal values due to the absence of European-style feudal hierarchies. For some, this reveals what is unique and universal about American political ideals, while for others it conceals the diversity of the American political traditions and pervasive forms of civic exclusion. Course Goals and Learning Outcomes Primary Course Goals Substantive Mastery of American Political Thought and Critical Political Inquiry: Students will develop a broad understanding of the various values, beliefs, and ideals that sustain democratic institutions and culture in American politics. Making informed and critical judgments about politics requires comprehension of different political ideals and values and how they conflict with one another. You should emerge from this course not only with a deepened understanding of different traditions of American political thinking, but also with the ability to articulate, map, and locate your own political values in relation to these competing traditions and enduring political problems and debates. NOTE: Thinking critically does not necessarily mean thinking negatively; rather, it refers to our capacities to question and evaluate a text or argument. To do this, you will need to suspend your existing assumptions and preconceptions and take a fresh look at something, or to try on and try out perspectives with which you may not agree. 1

2 Critical Democratic Citizenship and Ethics in Civic Life: Being a democratic citizen requires the ability to critically reflect on our ethical and political commitments as individuals and as a society. We will thus explore a range of theoretical and ethical issues concerning: civic inclusion and belonging; participation and civic virtue; the balance between individual rights and collective obligation; obedience and authority; the place of centralized power in democratic society; labor and economic inequality; gender and racial injustice; political responsibility during wartime; and the legacies of empire and slavery. Grappling with these thorny questions is the very substance of democratic citizenship. You should emerge from this course with a greater ability to identify and critically reflect upon these political and ethical problems using the resources of different traditions of American political thinking. Key Learning Outcomes Course readings, lectures, discussions, and assignments are designed to help you to: - Develop an in-depth understanding of the intellectual foundations of American political thought by thinking and writing about key concepts and arguments offered by a range of political thinkers and engaging in close textual readings of primary political theory texts; - Practice some of the analytical, critical, and argumentative tools involved in political theory, developing a strong understanding of the questions asked, the modes of inquiry and interpretation, and the practices of reasoning and writing used by political theorists; - Communicate knowledgeably and effectively, both orally and in writing, regarding key issues in the history of American political thought and in our own era; - Draw connections between recurring theoretical and historical debates of American politics and present political issues, and bring a theoretical understanding of the past to bear on contemporary political predicaments; - Inquire into, contextualize, and further refine your own political views and values, helping you become a more reflective and conversant citizen. Course Readings Required Readings: There will be one required book to buy for this course, which is available at the University bookstore and will also be on reserve at the Library. All other readings will be posted on the course website: Required texts: Isaac Kramnick and Theodore Lowi, American Political Thought: An Anthology (New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 2009) Assignments and Evaluation Two Op-Ed Essays (3 pages each) The goal of the op-ed essays is to invite you to wrestle more closely with at least one of the texts or arguments from the course and then apply them to some contemporary political debate or problem in American politics. Note: These essays must be very well-written, based on standards of college-level academic writing, relate explicitly to a major course reading, and include reasoned argumentation and textual citations. They are not simply informal opinion pieces. 2

3 Midterm and Final Exams The two exams will test your comprehension of various texts we have read throughout the course. The basic format of the exams will involve identifying and explaining key quotations from the course readings. This requires that you read and comprehend ALL course readings (note: this means that you will have to read the texts more than once). The final exam will be non-cumulative, covering material only since the midterm exam. Analytic Research Paper (7 pages) Students will also be required to a longer research essay. The essays must be written in response to essay prompts and must integrate AT LEAST ONE SCHOLARLY SOURCE (e.g. academic book and/or journal article). This paper provides an opportunity to creatively apply arguments and ideas learned in the course and work on your writing skills. Papers will be evaluated based on the strength, originality, and organization of your arguments, inclusion and discussion of relevant textual evidence, thoughtful analysis of course material, and quality of writing, including correct use of grammar and clarity. Attendance and Participation I expect you to attend every class period. Your grade depends upon it. I will take attendance every class period. You will be given three opportunities to miss (no questions asked) without having points deducted, after which I will start docking two points for every additional class period that you miss. There are no other approved absences, meaning that if you plan on missing due to sporting or academic events, you should save your free absences for such occasions. I will not formally grade participation, but your active involvement in the class will count in the margins. If you are at the border between grades, weak participation might put you in the lower grade bracket, just as strong participation can put you into the higher bracket. Strong participation means being involved in discussions, asking questions and offering responses to others questions, and demonstrating that you read and have thought about the material. Grade Breakdown (250 points total) 50 points Op-Ed Essays (25 points each) 100 points Research Essay 50 points Midterm Exam 50 points Final Exam Course Policies Assignments and Due Dates The schedule for assigned work will be strictly enforced, with penalties for late assignments. Late assignments will lose 2 additional points for every day they are missed. Missed work will result in a 0. If you know in advance that you cannot fulfill a required assignment you must me at least 2 weeks prior so we can make other arrangements. If you suddenly need a paper extension, you must contact me at least 24 hours in advance of when the assignment is due. Under no circumstances will I give an extension after an assignment is already due. You 3

4 must submit both a hard copy and an electronic copy of your papers via Blackboard. I do not accept assignments over unless arranged with me in advance. Classroom Courtesy Students are expected to observe some rules of common classroom courtesy including but not limited to the following: Read assigned texts in time for class and come prepared with questions/issues to discuss. Come to class on time and stay for the duration. If you absolutely must leave early or come late, please let me know in advance. Please put electronic devices on silent. Absolutely no computers are allowed in class. Students will be expected to interact with one another and with the instructor with respect. Politics can be contentious and disagreements are to be expected, but discourtesy or verbal abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. Students should not bring food into the classroom. Grading Scale A % B % A 93-96% C % A % C 73-76% B % C % B 83-86% D 60-69% F Below 60% Academic Dishonesty I do not take plagiarism or academic dishonesty lightly. I expect you to use your own creative thinking to complete all assignments and to cite all sources consulted, particularly if you borrow any facts or ideas and implement them in your own writing. All cases of academic dishonesty will result in a failure of the course and an initiation of proper university disciplinary action. The University Honor Code defines plagiarism as follows: Plagiarism is a form of cheating because the plagiarist copies or imitates the language and thoughts of others and passes the result off as an original work. Plagiarism includes the failure to identify a direct quotation by the use of quotation marks or another accepted convention which delimits and identifies the quotation clearly, paraphrasing the work of another without an acknowledgement of the source, or using the ideas of another, even though expressed in different words, without giving proper credit. See: Disability Accommodations All students are welcome in the course and should provide reasonable prior notice to facilitate any needed disability accommodations. It is the responsibility of the student to present the instructor with an accommodations letter from the University Wellness Center ( ). Accommodations will not be provided without this documentation, and accommodations cannot be applied retroactively. See: 4

5 Readings and Class Schedule CW = Course Website Tues. 1/12 Course Introduction No Reading Thurs. 1/14 The American Political Traditions Louis Hartz, The Concept of a Liberal Society, Gordon Wood, The Creation of the American Republic, The Enduring Debate, 7 th edition, ed. Canon, Coleman, and Mayer (Norton, 2013), 9-16 (CW) Rogers Smith, Beyond Tocqueville, Myrdal, and Hartz, Enduring Debate, (CW) Reading Questions: What are the main features of the liberal political tradition? What are the main features of the republican tradition and how do they differ from the liberal tradition? What is ascriptive hierarchy and how does it relate to the liberal tradition? Tues. 1/19 American Exceptionalism John O Sullivan, The Great Nation of Futurity The United States Magazine and Democratic Review, 6, 23 (Nov. 1839), (CW) Georg Hegel, The Geographical Basis of History The Philosophy of History (Colonial Press, 1899), (CW) Joyce Appleby, Recovering America s Historic Diversity: Beyond Exceptionalism, Journal of American History, 79, 2 (Sept. 1992), (CW) Reading Questions: What does O Sullivan mean by the great nation of futurity? What does Hegel mean when he says that America is "the land of the future?" And what is the place of Africans and Native Americans in this idea of America? Why does the idea of American exceptionalism impede our ability to recover "America's historic diversity?" Thurs. 1/21 Religious Liberty in Colonial America John Winthrop, Model of Christian Charity & Little Speech on Liberty, 11-16, Roger Williams, The Bloudy Tenent of Persecution, Reading Questions: Why does Winthrop compare the MA Bay Colony with Ancient Israel? What is the distinction between federal (or civil) and natural liberty? How does Williams differ from Winthrop on the relation between religion and politics? Tues. 1/26 Capitalism and the American Self Benjamin Franklin, The Way to Wealth & The Art of Virtue, Max Weber, Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (Routledge, 1992), 13-38(CW) Reading Questions: Pick out 1-2 familiar aphorisms (pithy phrases) from Franklin's "The Way to Wealth" and explain what you think they mean. In the "Art of Virtue," how 5

6 does Franklin utilize the genre of autobiography to make his point? What is "the spirit of capitalism" and what are its primary features? Thurs. 1/28 Natural Liberty and the Forgotten Founders John Wise, A Vindication of the Government of New England Churches, Donald Grinde and Bruce Johansen, Exemplar of Liberty: Native America and the Evolution of Democracy (American Indian Studies Center, 1991), CW) Reading Questions: What are the three aspects of the state of nature outlined by Wise? How does Wise understand the idea of "natural liberty," and how does his understanding differ from Winthrop's? How did Native American conceptions of government and freedom influence European notions of natural liberty? Tues. 2/2 Independence and the Idea of Revolution Thomas Paine, Common Sense, Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, Reading Questions: What are the origins of government, according to Paine? What is Paine s distinction between government and society and why does he make it? What are two key ideas expressed in the Preamble of the Declaration? Thurs. 2/4 Race and the American Founding Jefferson, Draft of the Declaration of Independence, American Scripture: Making of the Declaration of Independence (Vintage, 1998), (CW) Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, David Walker, Appeal to the Colored Citizens of the World, Reading Questions: What are the key sections in the grievances section that Jefferson put left out of the final version of the Declaration of Independence and why? How does David Walker refute Jefferson's claims about black inferiority that he made in Notes on the State of Virginia? Tues. 2/9 Gender and the Founding Mothers John and Abigail Adams, Correspondence, The Feminist Papers: From Adams to de Beauvoir (Columbia University Press, 1973), 7-15 (CW) Judith Sargent Murray, On the Equality of the Sexes, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Seneca Falls Declaration of Sentiments, Reading Questions: How does Abigail Adams described the relationship between men and women? What does Murray say is the primary source of inequality between men and women? What are some key differences/similarities between the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of Sentiments? 6

7 Thurs. 2/11 Counter-Narratives of the American Founding Frederick Douglass, What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?, William Apess, Eulogy on King Philip, On Our Own Ground: The Complete Writings of William Apess (University of Massachusetts Press, 1992), (CW) Reading Questions: How does Douglass address his audience and how does this serve his larger argument? Why does Apess say King Philip declared war on the Pilgrims? How does this differ from explanations the Pilgrims were likely to have given? Tues. 2/16 The Federalist Argument I: The Concentration of Power Alexander Hamilton, Letter to James Duane, Hamilton, Federalist Papers (# s 1, 23, 70), , , Skim: The Constitution and Articles of Confederation, , Reading Questions: What are the principle defects of the Articles of Confederation, according to Hamilton? Why does Hamilton insist throughout the Federalist Papers that the government must have "energy and efficiency" in its execution? What does he mean by energy in this context and what constitutional mechanisms ensure this energy? Thurs. 2/18 The Federalist Argument II: The Diffusion of Power Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Paper #9, James Madison, Federalist Papers (# s 10, 39, 48, 51), Reading Questions: What is a "confederal republic?" How is the American Constitution partly federal and partly national? What are Madison's preferred solutions to the problem of factions? What branch of government does Madison think is the most powerful, and what are the best mechanisms of containing this power? Assignment: First Op-Ed Essay Due Tues. 2/23 The Antifederalist Argument Richard Henry Lee, Letters from the Federal Farmer, Richard Yates, Essays of Brutus, Patrick Henry, Debate in the Virginia Ratifying Convention, The Bill of Rights, Reading Questions: What are the key objections that the Anti-Federalists have to the Constitution? Pick and explain at least one from each. What are the key differences between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists? 7

8 Thurs. 2/25 Labor Republicanism Thomas Paine, Agrarian Justice ( 1999), iii-v, 7-22 (CW) Orestes Brownson, The Laboring Classes, Reading Questions: What is the source of social and economic inequality for Paine? Do individuals have a natural right to property according to Paine? Why or why not? Is Brownson being sincere when he equates slave labor with wage labor? Why would he make such an extravagant claim? Tues. 3/1 Mid-Term Exam Thurs. 3/3 Romantic Individualism Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Transcendentalist, Essays and Lectures (Library of America, 1983), (CW) Emerson, Self-Reliance & Politics, Reading Questions: What does Emerson mean by double consciousness? What does he mean by self-reliance? Does Emerson generally have a positive or negative view of government? Why? Tues. 3/8 Democratic Individualism Henry David Thoreau, Resistance to Civil Government, Thoreau, Slavery in Massachusetts, Address to Anti-Slavery Convention (July 4, 1854), 1-14 (CW) Reading Questions: How does Thoreau justify the outright disobedience of law and government? Do you agree with his justification? Why or why not? What does he mean when he says my thoughts are murder to the state? Tues. 3/10 Sun. 3/20 NO CLASS SPRING BREAK Tues. 3/22 Abolitionism and the Constitution Frederick Douglass, The Constitution of the United States (CW) William Lloyd Garrison, Constitution and the Union & The American Union (CW) Garrison, Declaration of Sentiments of the American Anti-Slavery Society, Reading Questions: How is Garrison's Declaration of Sentiments different/similar from the Declaration of Independence? How does Garrison understand the relationship between the slavery and the Constitution? How does Douglass defend the Constitution as an anti-slavery document? Thurs. 3/24 NO CLASS 8

9 Tues. 3/29 Slavery, Sectionalism, and States Rights John Calhoun, Speeches on Slavery & A Disquisition on Government, Reading Questions: According to Calhoun, why is slavery a positive good? What is Calhoun s theory of the concurrent majority and is it so important to his vision of constitutional government? Assignment: Second Op-Ed Essay Due Thurs. 3/31 The Master-Race Democracy George Fitzhugh, Sociology for the South & Cannibals All!, Roger Taney, Dred Scott v. Sanford, James Henry Hammond, Mud Sill Speech, Reading Questions: What are Fitzhugh's primary criticisms of Northern civilization? What, in turn, does he see as the prime virtues of Southern society? What is the white slave trade? What does Hammond mean by the "mud-sill" of society? What are the primary points of Taney's decision in Dred Scott v. Sanford? Tues. 4/5 A New Birth of Freedom Abraham Lincoln, Speech at Peoria and Speech on the Dred Scott Decision, Lincoln, Inaugural Addresses and Gettysburg Address, , Reading Questions: How does Lincoln understand the relationship between slavery and the Constitution? Why is compromise so important to his constitutional vision? How does Lincoln assign blame and responsibility for the Civil War? Assignment: Topic and Thesis Statements Due Thurs. 4/7 Social Darwinism and the Race of Life Lincoln, Address Before the Wisconsin State Agricultural Society & New Haven Address, William Graham Sumner, What Social Classes Owe to Each Other, Reading Questions: Lincoln outlines two different theories of the relationship between labor and capital. What are they and which does he prefer? For Sumner, what do social classes owe to each other and why? What does he mean by "the Forgotten Man?" Tues. 4/12 Socialism and Anarchism Emma Goldman, Anarchism: What It Really Stands For,

10 Eugene Debs, Unionism and Socialism & Speech to the Jury, Reading Questions: Goldman defends anarchism against two charges. What are they? What are her three great enemies of human liberty? What are the two prongs of Debs approach to American socialism? What does Debs mean by a "working class republic?" Assignment: Annotated Bibliography and Supplementary Sources Due Thurs. 4/14 The American Imperial Tradition Josiah Strong, Our Country, Albert Beveridge, The March of the Flag, Platform of the American Anti-Imperialist League, Reading Questions: For Strong, what is the duty of Americans to foreign peoples? How does Beveridge understand the relationship between empire and the American founding? How does the Anti-Imperialist League differ? Tues. 4/19 Cultural Pluralism and the Melting Pot Horace Kallen, Democracy vs. the Melting Pot, The Nation (Feb. 25, 1915), 1-16 (CW) Randolph Bourne, Trans-national America, The Atlantic (July 1916), 1-11 (CW) Reading Questions: Why is the melting-pot ideal is antithetical to democracy and individual liberty? What is the nature of Bourne's cosmopolitan ideal of "trans-national America?" How do Bourne and Kallen differ? Assignment: Outline and Roadmap Due Thurs. 4/21 Jim Crow and the American Racial Order Plessy vs. Ferguson, Booker T. Washington, Atlanta Exposition Address, W.E.B. Du Bois, The Souls of Black Folk, Reading Questions: For Washington, what is the best path to racial equality and why? What does Du Bois mean by the concepts of the veil, double consciousness, and the sorrow songs? On what basis does Du Bois disagree with Washington? Tues. 4/26 Wrapping Up and Taking Stock Assignment: Analytic Research Paper Due Mon. 5/2 Final Exam at 9:00 AM IMPORTANT NOTE: Under no circumstances can Final Exams be rescheduled. Please note the exam time and make your end of the semester plans accordingly. 10